Free festival to be held Saturday in Jayhawk Tower

"Bride of Frankenstein," the 1935 sequel to "Frankenstein," starring Elsa Lanchester, left, in the title role; Colin Clive, right, as her creator, Henry Frankenstein, and Boris Karloff as The Monster, is one of the classic horror movies to be shown at the Slash and Bash Horror Film Festival from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Upstage Gallery, 720 S.W. Jackson Ave.

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An annual horror and sci-fi film festival will offer free food Saturday and the chance to ask questions of one of the film’s directors.

Keith Van Sickle, who organizes the Slash and Bash festival, said six movies will begin showing at 11:30 a.m. at Jayhawk Tower, 700 S.W. Jackson. Patrick Rea, who directed and co-wrote “Nailbiter,” will discuss the movie and answer questions, Van Sickle said.

The 2013 film, which will be shown at 7 p.m., is about a family who takes refuge from a deadly tornado in a seemingly abandoned storm cellar, according to information at the Internet Movie Database. Van Sickle, who reviews movies for Country Legends 106.9-FM, said the movie might appeal to families because it is more suspenseful than violent.

Other films in the lineup include “The Mummy,” “Frankenstein,” “Bride of Frankenstein,” “The Wolf Man” and “Dracula.”

“This year, we’re showing the classics,” Van Sickle said.

The films date as far back as 1931. Their stars include Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr. and others.

This is the ninth year for the festival, which typically attracts 100 to 300 moviegoers. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for the Honor Flight Network, which organizes free trips for military veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials of the wars in which they fought..

“I want to appeal to people who don’t have any money,” Van Sickle said. “And then if there are people who want to donate, they can.”

Van Sickle said signs will show people where to go once they get to the Jayhawk Tower.

Several local businesses sponsor the festival to cover its cost. Mexican cuisine will be provided.